Rotary platform user interface

ABSTRACT

A control and monitoring system for a rotating animal platform which includes multiple animal stalls arranged about its periphery, where the system includes an interactive display screen which displays output information relating to the current status of operations on the platform and which displays input channels for use by an operator, the platform itself is represented at said interactive display screen by an annular shape, each stall on the platform is graphically represented by a cell, the cells are displayed in a spatial arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of stalls on the platform, real-time status information relating to operations on the platform is represented at each cell, and the rotating movement of the platform is represented by the progression of each cell about the displayed representation of the platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a user interface for monitoring andcontrolling a rotating platform comprising multiple animal stalls. Inparticular, the present invention relates to the control and monitoringof dairy milking operations in an installation comprising multiplemilking stalls on a rotating platform.

The keeping of animals in installations in an industrial establishmenthas been transformed by the advent and expanded use of informationtechnology. As a consequence, the control of animal related processeshas developed such that a great many parameters relating to equipmentcan be controlled accurately and rapidly. In addition, the amount ofinformation which is gathered concerning individual animals andparameters relating to their management has greatly increased. It hasthereby resulted that control and management systems have becomeincreasingly complex, both in terms of the variety of information whichis handled and in terms of the number of variables which can becontrolled.

On the other hand, certain aspects of animal management retain a greatdeal in common with traditional practices, especially concerning thephysical environment and concerning the animals themselves. For thoseindividuals who work within an animal management installation and whosetask it is to operate animal management systems, there is a need toenable the monitoring and control of operations using sophisticatedequipment even while providing a control system which is easy to use andeasy to learn and which is amenable and effective for use in atechnology unfriendly environment.

2. Description of the Related Art

In patent application number WO 01/17336, there is disclosed a graphicaluser interface for the monitoring and controlling of parts of a dairyfarm system. An exemplary embodiment which is disclosed in WO 01/17336concerns the graphical representation of animal teats in a spatialrelationship which corresponds schematically to the actual spatialarrangement of the teats. Another embodiment illustrates the positioningof control symbols or icons for certain elements in a milkinginstallation such as gate opening/closing controls and mangerpositioning controls. The examples which are discussed all relate to amilking operation which is being carried out on an animal at a singlelocation.

In milking installations which comprise rotary milking platforms withanimal milking stations located about the platform periphery, multiplemilking operations take place at one time. An example of a milkingplatform with animal stalls at its periphery and comprising a controlsystem is disclosed in WO 2009/093967. Each milking operation on aplatform typically starts and finishes at times which are staggered fromthe start or finish times of other milking operations on the sameplatform. Some milking platforms are large, and can thereby accommodatea large number of simultaneously occurring milking operations. Animalsmay be able to voluntarily access the platform and, having accessed theplatform, they may or may not be permitted to be milked. Animals mayreceive feed, and any feed which animals are given may be provided invarying types or quantities, depending on the animal's needs. Leavingthe platform may be obligatory or voluntary, and may take place at oneor more designated locations. Some animals will yield more milk thanothers and some animals will be milked more quickly than others. Thepreviously suggested solutions for creating input/output controls foranimals being milked in individual stalls would lead, in the case of arotary stall, to an information overload for operators. It is an objectof the present invention to provide an input/output control system whichallows simple, efficient and reliable monitoring and control of a rotarymilking platform.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the control and monitoring system may inparticular comprise an input/output module associated with one or moresystem control computers and optionally with one or more data storageand management computers. The control and monitoring system will allowan operator to review the current operational status of the milkingplatform, while also inputting control commands or carrying out dataentry or data correction in certain fields. Examples of suitable controland monitoring devices for use as input/output interfaces includedisplay means such as touch-screen devices or a display screenassociated with a keyboard and mouse, or combinations thereof.Alternatively, any suitable screen type display may be used inassociation with known input means such as keyboard, dedicated keypad orcontrol switch panel or mouse device associated with a screen type inputpanel such as a keyboard, keypad or control panel. Such an input/outputmeans may be known generally as an interactive display. Any displaywhich displays output information relating to the platform or operationson the platform may also display one or more input channels though whichcontrol commands or data may be entered by an operator. In someembodiments, the system of the invention may comprise at least onedisplay device which is for monitoring purposes only, in addition to atleast one interactive display device of the system. A display-onlydevice may be an interactive display device in which the input mode hasbeen disabled, or it may be a display-only device with no input means.Input channels may be selectable input elements which are displayed forexample in the form of icons such as control button icons or symbols orin the form of alphanumeric text entry fields or any combination ofchannel types.

In the present context, a rotating animal platform may comprise acircular or generally circular annular platform associated with drivemeans which may drive the platform in rotation in increments or at aslow, more or less constant speed. The platform rotation speed may inany case be adjustable in accordance with circumstances e.g. inaccordance with the identified animals which are currently in place onthe platform. The rotation of the platform may be driven by any suitabledrive means and controlled by any suitable control means, in particular,drive control means associated with the system control means. Theperiphery of the platform is understood to designate that part of theplatform on which animal stations are provided and will generally belocated radially away from the centre of rotation of the platform, at,nearby or adjacent to the outer perimeter of the platform.Advantageously, access by operating personnel or by machinery to theanimals on the platform is possible from a position inside the centralarea within the rotating annular platform, although in some designs,access to animals may be from outside the perimeter of the rotatingplatform.

A location on the rotary platforms where an animal may reside and wherethe animal may be treated may in particular be known as a stall. Anystall may suitably comprise an area which is large enough for an animalto reside. It may be surrounded by barrier or fence members, therebyseparating neighbouring stalls from each other. It may be desirable toinclude restraining means for an animal at each animal stall.Restraining means could take the form of a body restrainer such as aneck lock or lock for another part of the animal's body or in the formof blocking means for the animal's body. Any restrainer or blocker orlock may suitably be associated with control means for automaticengagement or disengagement with the animal, thereby restraining orreleasing the animal in a controlled manner from a stall.

According to the invention, the platform is graphically represented in adisplay of the control and monitoring system by means of arepresentation of cells in an arrangement which correspondsapproximately or generally or closely to the spatial arrangement ofstalls on the platform, where the number of cells corresponds to thetotal number of stalls on the platform. Preferably, all cells are of anequal or approximately equal size. In one aspect, each cell isrepresented as a sector of a generally annular platform arrangement. Inanother aspect, each cell is displayed as a window, with respectivewindows being arranged in an annular or approximately annular array.Alternatively, any suitable cell shape may be used for representing astall. In another aspect, the platform is represented as a circularannular body divided into a number of cells of equal or approximatelyequal size. As the platform rotates, the graphical display isperiodically updated so that the annular graphical representation on thedisplay corresponds at all times closely to the current position of thecells on the platform. The rotation of the platform may be periodic orcontinuous, and the rotation of the platform representation mayrepresent the rotational motion of the platform in any suitable manner.Continuous motion may be of constant or variable speed. In preferredembodiments, the movement of the platform is represented by the periodicupdating of the position of each cell in the graphical imagerepresentation of the platform.

In further aspects of the invention, each cell displays one or morepieces of information, with each piece of information being placed at aninformation display sub-location inside each cell. In general it isenvisaged to provide one or more such sub-locations per cell. Eachsub-location may display e.g. an information icon or symbol or a textfield. Hence, according to this embodiment, for each angular location ofa represented cell about the periphery of the graphically representedplatform, there is a unique position of one or more sub-locations.

In general, the selection by a user of any particular displayedgraphically represented entity, by means of the interactive displaydevice, will reveal additional information concerning that entity. Inthis context, an entity may be represented by an icon, a piece of text,a number or a representation of a physical object. In particular, anentity may be any piece of apparatus such as a robot or a stall or itmay be an animal. In addition, any piece of text or information icon maybe selectable to thereby reveal additional details. Hence,advantageously, in aspects of the invention, any icon or any text ornumber at a cell sub-location may be selectable by an operator from adisplay screen to reveal additional information e.g. concerning theoperations in the corresponding stall or concerning the animal in thestall or concerning additional pieces of information related to theinformation shown at the selected sub-location of the relevant cell. Theselection of a cell by a user of the interactive display device may inparticular generate the display of additional information pertaining theanimal and/or to the operation in a corresponding stall either asadditional information in the platform screen view (i.e. as additionalinformation displayed in combination with the platform representationview) or in an alternative view representing the selected cell in anenlarged, more detailed representation, containing a larger number ofinformation fields and icons or symbols. Alternatively, a greater levelof detail concerning a selected cell may be displayed as a cell-specificscreen display, separate from either the platform representation or froma graphic representation of a cell or stall itself.

Accordingly, during use of the system of the invention, an operatorsupervising the activities on an animal platform will at all timesduring operation of the platform have a correspondence between thecontrol system display and the current position of all the stalls on theplatform, allowing the operator to easily and quickly monitor theprogress of any and each of the contemporaneous operations in therespective stalls on the platform. The displayed information in eachcell will provide a quick and ready reference for an operator, allowingany anomaly in the running of an operation to be spotted and acted upon.If necessary, the operator can use an input channel for adjustinginformation or parameters in any stall or robotic unit in order tomodify current data relating to a particular operation or in order tomake changes to operating parameters. At all times, the operator will beable to maintain a correspondence between the cell upon whichadjustments are being made and the animal occupying the correspondingplatform stall, thereby ensuring the best possible effectiveness duringoperation. This aspect may be of particular importance having regard toe.g. safety issues, for example, when an agitated animal is observed,its stall control location can be immediately found. Or, where ananimal's current exhibited performance characteristics in a given cellappear out of the ordinary, then the animal can easily be seen at itscorresponding location on the platform so that a rapid resolution of apossible problem can be facilitated. In all cases, the high level ofcorrespondence between the displayed graphic image and the platform, aswell as the simplified information display allows fast, safe, accurateand effective monitoring and control.

According to the invention, real-time status information, i.e. currentupdated information, relating to operations on the platform is displayedinside a cell by the interactive display device. The information may bedisplayed in the cells as well as in other parts of the display.Real-time status information may comprise any relevant information, inparticular it may comprise current information which is updated suchthat it corresponds to actual measured process parameters or it mayinclude information concerning a piece of apparatus or an animal. Theseparameters may in particular be any operating parameters or measuresassociated with the process in operation at the stall in question.According to a further aspect of the control and monitoring system ofthe invention, each cell which is included in the graphicalrepresentation may in particular exhibit status information relating toone or more parameters of an animal management process. Statusinformation may be “real-time” information in the form of aprogressively and frequently updated parameter measurement, such as e.g.current milk yield. It may also be information which is subject toperiodic updating such as e.g. a cow number. A stall number representedin any cell may form part of the displayed information in the cellalthough it may be subject to less frequent updating because it consistsof pre-set information. Status information parameters may also includeanimal parameters of an animal which is present in a relevant stall andmay include animal specific data retrieved from an animal data bank. Thedata may include historic and current data specific to a given animal orherd.

In a further embodiment, each cell which is included in the graphicalrepresentation exhibits each process parameter at a respective discretesub-location inside each cell. Each cell typically comprises anidentical number of information sub-locations although this may not beimmediately apparent from the cells themselves, because not all theinformation sub-locations may be occupied by a displayed piece of textor symbol or icon or text input prompt. As mentioned, a processparameter which is displayed in any cell may in particular be any pieceof information relating to the stall which corresponds to the particularcell, such as the operation being carried out in the stall or the animalor equipment in the stall. In the case of a milking platform, a usefulprocess parameter which may be exhibited is the animal identificationnumber stored in a transponder which is worn by the animal. In the caseof a cow, this may be the animal's cow number. In many cases, the animalalso wears a visible physical record of its identification number. Thecorrect identification of animals at the platform stall is importantbecause it may be relevant for a teat cup application robot or a teattreatment robot such as a teat finding and preparation robot. When usinga system according to the invention, an operator may observe that anincorrect identification number is entered in the system by comparing anumber in a given displayed cell with the number worn on an animal atthe corresponding platform stall. The constant correspondence betweenthe position of a stall on the platform and its representation as a cellin a display makes it easier to spot any such discrepancies. Acorrective measure could be taken by, e.g. selecting the alphanumerictransponder field in the relevant displayed cell and entering acorrected number.

An other example of a useful process parameter which may be displayed ina cell is the current milk yield of an animal. As each animal progressesaround the platform, towards an exit location, a certain approximatelevel of milk yield can be expected. When an operator reviews thedisplay representation of the platform, it may quickly become apparentthat a surprisingly low yield is being generated, having regard to therelative position of the cell around the graphic representation. Actionmay thereby quickly be taken, either to monitor the animal in questionmore closely, to see if it is unwell, or if the equipment ismalfunctioning or incorrectly applied. Additional information to bedisplayed in a cell may for example include some or all of: expectedyield; animal weight; animal age; teat status (for each teat, anindication whether or not it has a teat cup attached); transponderserial number; error status; error code; warning message; informationprohibiting the attaching of a teat (e.g. if something is wrong withit); other information message.

In general, all cells which are represented will preferably have anidentical size and outline shape. In embodiments of the invention, theinformation sub-locations in each cell may be fixed. In such cases, alldisplayed cells will appear identical, but for the content of theinformation which is displayed in each cell. In order for anyalphanumeric text to remain horizontal and clearly legible as a cellprogresses around the periphery of the annular graphical representation,the cell's aspect in relation to the centre of rotation of the platformrepresentation will be adjusted for each position about the periphery ofthe representation of the platform. For example, each cell may suitablybe represented as a circle, ellipse or triangle or rectangle, such as asquare.

As an alternative, in cases where the aspect of each cell remains thesame in relation to the rotational centre of the platformrepresentation, the text fields, symbols and/or icons at the respectivecell sub-locations may require to be rotated and/or moved in relation tothe cell in order to remain horizontal, and in order that displayed textfields or symbols do not run into each other or overlap i.e. they mustremain readable and recognisable for an operator. For example, each cellmay be represented as a sector of an annulus, with all cells beingdirectly adjacent to two circumferentially adjoining cells. In suchcases, the dimensions of a given symbol, icon or text field at aparticular sub-location may be such that it will not fit inside theboundaries of a cell at all rotational angles of the cell, when thesymbol, icon or text field remains horizontal. In order to prevent suchan occurrence, the information sub-locations within a cell may be movedin relation to the cell and in relation to each other, in order toensure that all the displayed information for a stall is fully containedwithin the boundaries of its corresponding cell, at all positions of thecell around the graphical platform representation.

Hence, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, therespective discrete sub-locations in each graphically represented celleach adopt a specific and unique relative positional arrangement foreach represented circumferential position of a cell. According to theseembodiments, each represented cell has a unique appearance, both interms of its angular aspect in relation to the display device, and interms of the relative positional arrangement of the cell sub-locationswithin it.

Advantageously, where it is desired to provide an optimised layout ofthe sub-locations for each cell position, the relative positions of thecell sub-locations may be derived from the angular position of therelevant cell about the periphery of the representation of saidplatform. In this way, all cells will always represent their displayedinformation in a convenient way, adapted to the particular cell inquestion. This aspect of the control system of the invention allows adisplay to show representations of platforms having different numbers ofanimal stalls, without creating a layout problem in case the number ofstalls is increased or decreased. In addition, this arrangement ensuresthat an appropriate cell layout is always preserved, irrespective of theangular increments through which the displayed cells are moved each timethe representation is periodically updated in the display, to reflect achanged angular platform position.

In a variant of the invention, as an alternative to deriving thepositions of information sub-locations from the angular position of acell, there may instead be stored a pre-defined set of sub-locations foreach angular cell position about the annular platform representation.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the relative spatial positionsof at least two sub-locations within each cell are transposed when therepresentation of a cell moves across an imaginary central horizontalplane which substantially bisects the graphically represented annularshape of the platform. This embodiment may be particularly advantageousin cases where alphanumeric text fields which are displayed at differentsub-locations in a cell are of different length. In such cases, where afirst and a second text field are displayed in a cell at a first and asecond sub-location positioned one above the other when the cell is atthe upper part of the graphic representation, it may be necessary forthe first field to be displayed below the second field when the cell isat a lower part of the graphic representation, in order for the fieldsto fit adequately within the cell boundaries. This aspect may best beunderstood with reference to examples in which the cells have the shapeof e.g. sectors of a circle or annulus.

In a further aspect of the invention, each cell may be represented as athree-dimensional image. According to this aspect, the entire platformmay be represented as a three-dimensional image. Optionally, eachindividual cell may be selected using the interactive display, and maybe shown in a more detailed view.

According to still further aspects of the control and monitoring systemaccording to the invention, the interactive display may show a graphicalrepresentation of the platform itself accompanied by the representationof one or more units which perform operations on the animals on theplatform or on the platform itself. An unit may in particular be anautomated unit such as a robot. In a milking platform, such a robot maybe e.g. a teat attachment robot, a teat locating robot, a teat spraying(disinfecting) robot or a teat-cleaning robot or other treatment robot.Units which perform operations on the platform may include a platform-or stall-cleaning apparatus or sensor devices intended to providetriggers in case of safety alerts or platform technical malfunctions. Inparticular, any representation of a unit or such as an automated unitmay exhibit real-time status information relating to operations beingperformed by that unit. Advantageously, according to aspects of theinvention, each graphically represented entity in the interactivedisplay may be individually selected by a user to thereby revealadditional status information relating to a stall corresponding to agiven cell or to operations being performed by a particular unit.Additional information may be shown in a separate screen display viewrelating to the cell or to the unit which is selected. It may include atwo-or three-dimensional image of the cell or unit. Additional statusinformation relating to a stall or to an operating unit may shown in adisplay screen in addition to the graphical annular representation ofthe platform or in a separate screen image from said graphical annularrepresentation of said platform. The control system and its interactivedisplay may thereby allow a cascade of information views, with any viewallowing a selection of additional information to be shown in furtherviews.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the system of the present inventionwill be explained with reference to examples and to illustrations ofcertain examples of various aspects of the invention and of an animalmanagement system. Examples are provided for information andillustration purposes and are non-limiting as to the scope ofprotection.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a rotary animal management platform.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a graphical representation of an animalmanagement platform which is used for milking.

FIG. 2a shows an alternative example of information display within acell.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen display showing detail concerning astall corresponding to a selected cell.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an alternative graphical representation of ananimal management platform which is used for milking.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an alternative graphical representation of ananimal management platform which is used for milking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The animal management platform which is shown in FIG. 1 comprises arotary platform 14 surrounded on its outer circumference by a barrier16. The illustrated barrier 16 is a stationary barrier which isinterrupted at an entrance area 5 and an exit area 6. More entrance orexit areas could be provided as a matter of choice. Alternatively, theentrance or exit areas could be configured larger than illustrated inorder to allow, for example more than one animal to access or leave theplatform simultaneously. In another alternative arrangement, the barrier16 could be movable around the external circumference of the platform 14and could be articulated at each stall for permitting opening andclosing of the stall thereby allowing animals to enter or leave a stall.An internal perimeter of the platform 14 in the form of a railing 9prevents animals from leaving the platform in a direction towards itscentre. In certain embodiments, a feed manger (not shown) may beprovided in each stall 12, which may help to entice animals to enter thestalls 12 on the platform as well as providing animals with requirednutrition.

The rotary platform 14 is divided into a series of neighbouring stalls12, arranged around the periphery of the platform 14. Each stall isseparated from its neighbouring stalls by a movable barrier 11 whichdefines the width extent of each stall in a generally circumferentialdirection. In the example illustrated, each stall 12 is designed to beoccupied by a single animal. The positions of each movable barrier 11are set up so that an animal is slightly restrained when it occupies astall 12 when the barriers 11 at each circumferential side of the stall12 are in a closed position. In the example of FIG. 1, the stalls areshown arranged on the platform in a so-called herringbone arrangement.Alternative arrangements include a tandem arrangement in which thestalls are longitudinally aligned parallel to the circumference of theplatform or a parallel arrangement, in which the longitudinal directionof each stall is radially aligned about the platform. In all cases,animals are positioned at successive locations about the periphery ofthe platform 14.

The platform 14 which is illustrated has the shape of an annulus, i.e.of a circular ring. At the centre of the platform there is a centralregion 17 within which are shown various operating units which form partof the installation. Operating units may appropriately also be locatedoutside the outer periphery of the platform. The location of operatingunits inside or outside the platform may depend upon the arrangement ofanimals on the platform (i.e. tandem vs. parallel or whether the animalsface inwards or outwards). Operating units may include electromechanicalunits which carry out operations on animals or on the platform. Otheroperating units may include control system elements which interact withthe platform, with the electromechanical units and with an operator andwhich may be linked to information databases. A control system elementis illustrated at 27, with a display element at 28. The control elementmay be a computer or more than one computer and is shown having acommunication link to each of three illustrated operating units 20, 22and 24. Where the platform forms part of a milking installation, theunit 20 may be a robot for locating and preparing an animal's teats formilking, e.g. by placing a cleaning and stimulating device on theanimal's teats. The unit 22 may be a robot for placing a set of teatcups on the teats of an animal for milking, while the unit 24 may be apost-treatment robot for disinfecting teats after milking has beencompleted. Other animal management operations may appropriately beperformed on a platform, in which case the operating units may havealternative functions.

The entrance 5 is provided in the form of an entranceway with barrierseither side and a control gate 18 with an identification receiver 19. Ananimal wearing a transponder passing along the entranceway 5 in thedirection of the arrow is detected by the receiver and identificationdevice 19 and, if the animal is permitted to enter the platform, thenthe gates 18 will be opened in order for the animal to pass into abuffer area 10 before it can move into a free stall 12 on the platform14 via an open barrier 11. If the animal is not permitted to enter theplatform, then an exit gate (not shown) may allow an animal to pass outfrom the entrance 5 without passing through access gates 18.

After passing the identification receiver 19 and the gates 18 and afterentering the platform 14, the presence of an animal in a stall 12 of theplatform 14 will be registered in the control system 27 of the platform.During each animal's stay on the platform 14, its presence will bevisible in a displayed representation of the platform in an interactivedisplay device 28 which is associated with the control system 27.

The display device 28 will be associated with interactive means such asa mouse or keyboard, or it may be a touch-screen, allowing an operatorviewing the display to receive information concerning the processeswhich are taking place on the platform and to intervene in the processesif necessary. When a large number of animals are present on theplatform, the handling of information may be critical, if it is to bepossible for an operator to maintain an overview of progress being made.Hence, the information which is selected for presentation and the mannerof presentation can be of significant importance in the effectiveness ofthe control system. In some cases there may be provided more than onedisplay device associated with any given control and monitoring systemof the invention. In particular, there may be provided at least onedisplay device which is interactive and at least one display devicewhich operates in a read-only mode. This would for example enable remotesupervision of a rotary platform while leaving control interventions ina process on the platform to personnel at or nearby the platform whichmay be utilising an interactive display device located at or nearby theplatform itself.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the graphical representation 34 of a rotaryplatform which may have a layout somewhat similar to that which isillustrated in FIG. 1, In the graphical representation 34, each stall 12on the platform 14 is shown as a cell 8 flanked on each circumferentialside by neighbouring cells which represent neighbouring stalls. Theplatform 14 may be represented in a generally annular shape as shown byway of example as a circular annulus in FIG. 2, although other annularshapes may be envisaged depending e.g. on display screen spacerequirements. The annular shape of the graphic representation of theplatform may thus be described as being ring-shaped, with the ring shapebeing a circular or generally circular appearance. For example, theannular shape may have the general outline of a polygon such as arectangle or hexagon or octagon or any approximately circular, irregularshapes. A circular shape as shown in FIG. 2 may be preferred because itprovides a close resemblance to the general shape of a rotary platform.The shape of the cells may also be selected in accordance withpreferences such as the type of information to be displayed. The cells 8shown in FIG. 2 have the outline of sectors of an annulus. This shapeprovides the advantage that it makes maximum use of the available spacewithin the annular representation of the platform. A possiblealternative, shown by way of example in FIG. 4 leaves more redundantspace around the cells, although it provides the advantage that theposition of the various information display fields in each cell isunchanged irrespective of the relative rotational position of the cellabout the origin of the annular representation.

Also shown in FIG. 2 are operational unit icons 40, 42 and 44 which, inthis case, represent the operational units shown in FIG. 1. Entrance 5and exit 6 are represented by respective icons 35, 36 which may displaystatus information by means of symbols, e.g. signalling that theentrance or exit station is occupied by an animal or that it is free.Also a buffer area 10 may be represented by an icon 39 which also maydisplay via a symbol whether it is occupied or vacant. Other appropriateindications may be included in the entry or exit or buffer icons, suchas, for example, the number of animals (cow count) having passed throughthe given location after any given start time of the platform. Anexample of a cow count is shown in FIG. 3. in the lower left handportion of the screen display image. If a user selects any entity, suchas an icon, from the display illustrated in FIG. 2, then additionalinformation relating to that entity, i.e. to the apparatus or animalwhich it represents, may be displayed in a separate display or in aportion of the display screen which is illustrated in FIG. 2.

An arrow at the centre of the platform graphic image in FIG. 2 indicatesthe direction of rotation of the platform. As the platform 14 is rotatedto move the stalls 12 progressively onward, so the positions of therespective cells 8 may be updated. Any appropriate movement incrementsmay be utilised. In the example shown, there are sixteen stalls 12, eachrepresented by a cell 8. When the platform is rotated through onesixteenth of a circle, the respective cells 8 in the displayed platformimage 34 may be updated, thereby keeping the overall appearance of theimage unchanged with the exception that the information displayed ineach cell is moved along around the image periphery by one incrementinto the immediately adjacent neighbouring cell. In embodiments wherecells are all identical and where the platform is moved in incrementswhich correspond to a stall width, the platform movement which isreplicated by the graphic display will appear to consist only of theprogressive shifting of the displayed content of each cell from one cellto the next.

The various pieces of information which are displayed in each cell 8 maybe updated periodically according to the same frequency as the updatingof the cell position or they may preferably be updated more frequently.Preferably, all pieces of information or symbols which are displayed maybe updated in real time or as near as possible to real time, i.e so thatthe information remains current. Hence, as soon as milking commences ina stall 2, the symbol 46 may appear in the cell corresponding to thatstall. Alternatively, when milking commences in a certain stall, thecorresponding graphic cell display may for example present a differentbackground colour or may present a shading background in place of aclear background. As soon as an identified animal is confirmed to havetaken up its position in a stall 12, relevant stored information forthat animal may be retrieved by the control system 27 from a data bankand some of it may be displayed in the relevant cell.

In some cases, such as where historic teat positions are stored forindividual animals, the teat position information is utilised by theattachment robot 42 and the preparation robot 40 although it may notnecessarily be displayed. More useful information concerning teat cupattachment may be displayed to the user in a more user-friendly formthan by the indication of a set of co-ordinates. An example of a mannerin which teat information may be displayed during milking is illustratedby the teat icons 51 in FIG. 3. Each teat is shown in a box itsappropriate position relative to the other teats (Left Front; RightFront; Right Rear etc.), with each box being of one shade when a cup iscurrently connected and of another shade when no cup is connected. Thedisplay thus allows an operator to easily note whether all cups areattached and if not, which cup is missing. In an alternative embodimentof this display icon, the respective shades of each of the boxescorresponding to a teat may be changed according to whether or not ateat is considered to be milkable.

In the arrangements which are illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, theinformation which is displayed in each cell is essentially the same andconcerns a milking process. It comprises on one hand an identificationnumber 38 of an animal in the corresponding stall, and an indication ofthat animal's current milk yield 37. The stall number 49 to which thedisplayed cell corresponds is also shown. Also shown, where applicable,is an icon 46 indicating that an animal is present in a stall and thatmilking has commenced for that animal.

Stalls in which no animal is present may be indicated in a differentbackground shade or colour (see stalls 2, 3 and 4 in FIG. 2). Inaddition, a selected specific background colour may be used for any cellto denote a respective special status of the cell such as “disabled”, or“defective” or “requiring cleaning”. Examples can bee seen in FIG. 5,where stall number 14 is shaded because it is in need of or undergoingrepairs. A maintenance icon 62 is additionally displayed. By clicking onthe maintenance icon 62, additional information concerning the nature ofthe maintenance and its status may be displayed. Also in FIG. 5, stallnumber 10 is shaded because it is in need of or undergoing cleaning.Another maintenance icon 63 for cleaning is additionally displayed. Asan alternative embodiment, an unoccupied stall may be shown as acompletely blank cell, as for example cell number 9 in FIG. 3.

Alternative exemplary symbols which denote special indicationsconcerning an animal are designated by numerals 47 and 48.

In the case of the milk yield which is displayed in each cell in respectof each animal being milked, an alternative to the display of the yieldin alphanumeric form includes the display of the milk yield as aprogress bar 52. According to this embodiment, shown by way of exampleat FIG. 2a , the outline of an elongated rectangle may be displayed ineach cell, representing a zero quantity of milk yield from the animaloccupying the corresponding stall. As the animal is milked, therectangle outline is shown progressively filled up, mapping theproportion (e.g. percentage) of milk yielded in relation to the expectedmilk yield. As such, a quick glance at the display of the platformrepresentation will enable an operator to easily see if any cell is notin accordance with the stage of progression of its corresponding milkingoperation. Any cell in which an animal's milking is progressing tooslowly will immediately be visible as an anomaly in relation to itsneighbours in the graphical representation. If many progress bars areshowing a low level of milk yielded, in relation to their relativeprogress around the circle, then this may indicate a general defect inthe milking equipment. Accordingly, in embodiments of the presentinvention, the milk yield of an individual animal may be displayed in acell by a progress bar 52. In embodiments of the invention, the displayof a progress bar 52 in any cell 8 may be withheld until the milkingprocess of the animal in the relevant stall has commenced. Furthermore,in embodiments of the invention, a progress bar 52 may be displayed ineach cell 8 as shown in FIG. 5, namely, wherein the longitudinaldirection of the progress bar lies in a circumferential direction of theplatform representation, preferably at an outer periphery thereof.

When a displayed cell 8 is selected by a user, relevant currentinformation relating to the animal in the corresponding stall andrelating to current process parameters may be displayed in an area ofthe screen showing the platform representation 34 or in a separatescreen (not shown). Special indications which are signalled by thepresence of symbols or icons may also be displayed following selectionof a given cell. FIG. 3 provides an example of how additionalinformation concerning an animal and the current status of a milkingoperation may be displayed following the selection of a cell 8 from thegraphic representation of a platform 34.

The space required for displaying certain pieces of information mayvary, depending on the information. For example, the number of digitsneeded for any given parameter display may vary. In the example shown inFIG. 2, the pieces of information which are displayed at each cell 8 areeach positioned at a defined sub-location in the cell. The choice of thesub-location in a cell where a piece of information is to be displayedmay thereby be dependent upon the amount of space available at thatsub-location. The space available at any sub-location may depend uponthe proximity of other sub-locations and also upon the shape outline ofthe cell itself. For ease of use, alphanumeric information which isdisplayed should be kept horizontal, irrespective of its position aroundthe platform image. Thus, in the case of cell number 16 in FIG. 2, theavailable space for an alphanumeric parameter to be displayed isgreatest at the top portion of the sector, where the cell is at itswidest. That corresponds to an uppermost location in relation to theremaining sub-locations in that cell at that position. Smaller symbolsor icons, and shorter text fields may be displayed at sub-locationswhich lie below of the uppermost location, where less cell width isavailable. Hence, the information which requires the most text space, inthis case, the animal identification number, is displayed at theuppermost part of the cell when it is at its top position around thegraphical image, above pieces of information requiring less space. Onthe other hand, for a cell located at the bottom of the platformrepresentation, such as cell number 7 or 8 in FIG. 2, the greatest widthis available at the lowermost part of the cell, below all othersub-locations in that cell.

As can be seen, as any cell 8 progresses about the annularrepresentation 34, the positions of the sub-locations relative to thecell and relative to each other may be made to progressively change, inorder to maintain an orderly cell view. In particular, the radial andcircumferential position co-ordinates of each alphanumeric text fieldsub-location are required to be adapted progressively from one cellposition to the next in order that the texts in the respective field donot run into each other. In order to achieve this, the positions of eachtext field or numerical field or information sub-location in any cellmay be mapped (defined) for each possible cell position. Alternatively,an algorithm may be used to define for each angular cell position, therespective positions of each text field or numerical field orsub-location. The sub-locations in any cell will thus deviateincrementally from the locations in a previous and subsequent cell.

A special additional measure may be taken to ensure the clarity of thedisplayed cell information for a user. In certain embodiments, therelative position of neighbouring sub-locations in a cell may beinverted as the represented cells cross an imaginary horizontal linewhich bisects the platform representation. For example, where onealphanumeric parameter field is displayed vertically above another (thevertical direction being seen as being vertically inside the plane ofthe display screen), the positions of the topmost and the lowermostparameters may advantageously be inverted (i.e. swapped) as any cellcrosses an imaginary horizontal centre line through the image. Wherethree or more parameters are displayed at sub-locations above oneanother, the top and bottom parameter positions may be exchanged, whilea parameter displayed in between the topmost and lowermost parameter mayremain in its same relative position (the middle position).

The control and monitoring system according to the invention has beendescribed with reference to various embodiments and examples.Accordingly, an operator of the animal management platform receives anintuitive interface for controlling the complex system. This is providedin the form of a graphical representation of the system using images andsymbols which directly represent physical units of the system. Clickinga symbol or image makes it possible to operate and/or get moreinformation about the unit. Advantageously, the platform is graphicallyrepresented as a circle or annulus, which comprises segments whichrepresent each stall or milking point and thereby gives an intuitivepicture of the current status for each stall and for any surroundingrobots and gates. The graphic representation of the rotary platformrotates in order to always display the current state of the platform.Embodiments of the invention may typically use two-dimensionalrepresentations of the platform although three-dimensionalrepresentations may be preferred. The platform is thereby displayed in amore realistic way than known devices and allows a more intuitiveinteraction with an operator. In further embodiments of the invention,the physical units surrounding the platform may be displayed asthree-dimensional images. Additional variations and embodiments will beapparent to those in the art within the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A rotating animal milking platform controland monitoring system, comprising: a platform (14) comprising pluralanimal stalls arranged about a periphery thereof, the platform having anannular shape, the animal stalls dividing the annular shape, theplatform being a rotary platform with rotary movement; and a controlsystem (27) that comprises a control computer with data storage, thecontrol computer operatively connected to the platform (14) and monitorsa current status of operations on the platform and in the stalls, thecontrol system including an interactive display (28) which displays,based on the control computer monitored current status of the operationson the platform and in the stalls i) output information relating to thecontrol computer monitored current status of operations on the platform,ii) a representation of the annular shape of the platform with each ofthe stalls graphically represented by a cell (8) within therepresentation of the annular shape of the platform, wherein the cellsare displayed in a spatial arrangement corresponding to a physicalarrangement of corresponding stalls on the platform, and wherein therotating movement of the platform is represented, over time, by aprogression of each cell about the displayed annular shape representingthe platform, iii) within the cells, real-time status informationrelating to the control computer monitored operations on the platform,and iv) within the cells, input channels for use by an operator, theinput channels individually selectable by the operator to revealadditional status information relating to control computer monitoredoperations of the corresponding stall, wherein, the control system a)monitors the rotation of the platform and each stall within theplatform, and b) as the platform rotates, periodically updates theinteractive display so that the rotating movement of the platform isrepresented by a progression of the graphical representation of eachcell within the representation of the annular shape of the platform,with a position of the graphical representation of each cell within therepresentation of the annular shape, corresponding at all times to thecurrent position of the corresponding stall on the platform, and whereinthe real-time status information displayed within each cell shows one ormore process parameters displayed at one or more respective discretesub-locations inside the cell, the one or more respective discretesub-locations in each cell adopting a specific and unique relativearrangement in the cell for each represented circumferential position ofthe cell, said specific and unique relative arrangement in the cell foreach respective discrete sub-location changing with angular position ofthe cell about a periphery of the representation of the annular shape.2. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system ofclaim 1, further comprising: further input channels operable by theoperator to perform at least one of entering data correction andentering control commands for carrying out the operations on theplatform, the further input channels being in the form of at least oneof i) icons, and ii) alphanumeric text entry fields.
 3. The rotatinganimal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 2,wherein the further input channels are operable by the operator to enterdata correction concerning the operations of one of the stalls.
 4. Therotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim2, wherein the further input channels are operable by the operator forcarrying out the operations of the stall.
 5. The rotating animal milkingplatform control and monitoring system of claim 4, further comprising:plural control units (20, 22, 24) associated with the platform (14), theplural control units (20, 22, 24) for carrying out operations on theanimals on the platform within the stalls, and communication linksbetween each of the control units and the control computer of thecontrol system, wherein, the control computer of the control system (27)is in communication, via the communication links, with each of theplural control units (20, 22, 24), and the further input channels areoperable by the operator for carrying out the operations of the pluralcontrol units (20, 22, 24) via the control computer and thecommunication links.
 6. The rotating animal milking platform control andmonitoring system of claim 5, wherein, the input channels are furtheroperable by the operator to enter control commands changing operatingparameters of one of the control units carrying out the operations atthe corresponding stall.
 7. The rotating animal milking platform controland monitoring system of claim 1, wherein, the representation of theannular shape of the platform on the interactive display is one of thegroup consisting of i) a circular annulus shape, ii) a ring shape, iii)a polygon shape, and iv) a circular, irregular shape.
 8. The rotatinganimal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1,wherein, each cell has a shape a sector of the annular shape.
 9. Therotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim1, wherein, each cell shows at least two process parameters displayed atat least two respective discrete sub-locations inside the cell.
 10. Therotating animal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim9, wherein, the plural respective discrete sub-locations in each celladopt the specific and unique relative arrangement in the cell for eachrepresented circumferential position of the cell.
 11. The rotatinganimal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 9,wherein, the change in said specific and unique relative arrangement inthe cell for each respective discrete sub-location is derived from acurrent angular position of the cell about the periphery of therepresentation of the annular shape.
 12. The rotating animal milkingplatform control and monitoring system of claim 9, wherein, the changein said specific and unique relative arrangement in the cell for eachrespective discrete sub-location is pre-determined for each angularposition of the cell about the periphery of the representation of theannular shape.
 13. The rotating animal milking platform control andmonitoring system of claim 9, wherein, relative spatial positions ofsaid at least two said sub-locations within each cell are transposedwhen the cell moves across a central horizontal plane whichsubstantially bisects the annular shape.
 14. The rotating animal milkingplatform control and monitoring system of claim 1, wherein, when ananimal management process is being conducted on an animal present in thecorresponding stall represented by the cell, each of the one of moreprocess parameters in the cell exhibits current status informationrelating to a parameter of the animal management process being conductedon the animal present in the corresponding stall represented by thecell.
 15. The rotating animal milking platform control and monitoringsystem of claim 14, further comprising an animal data bank operativelyconnected to the control system, the animal data bank comprising animalspecific data including current data specific to the animal present inthe corresponding stall, wherein, the control system communicates withthe animal data bank and retrieves the current data specific to theanimal present in the corresponding stall from the animal data bank sothat the current status information includes animal parameters of theanimal present in the corresponding stall.
 16. The rotating animalmilking platform control and monitoring system of claim 14, wherein, acell represents current milk yield of an animal being milked in thecorresponding stall as a progress bar.
 17. The rotating animal milkingplatform control and monitoring system of claim 1, wherein, each cell isrepresented as a three-dimensional image.
 18. The rotating animalmilking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1, furthercomprising: plural control units (20, 22, 24) associated with theplatform (14), the plural control units (20, 22, 24) for carrying outoperations on the animals on the platform within the stalls, andcommunication links between each of the control units and the controlsystem, wherein, said interactive display further displays operationunit icons (40, 42, 44) representing respective ones of the controlunits, and the operation unit icons that exhibit real-time statusinformation relating to the operations being performed by the respectivecontrol units.
 19. The rotating animal milking platform control andmonitoring system of claim 1, wherein, said additional statusinformation relating to the corresponding stall is displayed in additionto and in combination with the annular shape representation of saidplatform, and the representation of the annular shape of the platform onthe interactive display is a circular annulus shape.
 20. The rotatinganimal milking platform control and monitoring system of claim 1,wherein, said additional status information relating to thecorresponding stall is displayed in addition to the annular shaperepresentation of said platform in a separate image apart from saidgraphical annular representation of said platform, and therepresentation of the annular shape of the platform on the interactivedisplay is a circular annulus shape.